Changes

Yesterday was the last day of my teaching job in Sunderland. I wasn't expecting much fuss as I have only been there for 18 months (5 terms) and my form class had seemed particularly non-plussed about the whole thing. In the end it turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.

My form got me a card and a present, although I think that was the idea of one girl's mother, rather than a spontaneous gesture from the class. Most of them are only 11 and still have the idea that I live at the school with the other teachers. I also received some vouchers and a card from the whole staff, and other presents and cards from my department + people in our building. The head of Physics thought it particularly amusing to buy me a pack of pampers. The others in our building got me this cute Einstein baby grow, amongst other things.

and a big bunch of flowers.

A lot of the older kids said how much they'd miss me and I even received a spontaneous round of applause from one class. It was nice to feel that I might be missed. I've been feeling quite negative about myself recently. I will certainly miss most of the staff, who've been very supportive and helpful. I'll also miss some of the pupils. There are some of them I would really like to see achieving and going on to university.

You might wonder why I'm leaving. I certainly won't miss getting up at 6am and having to drive over 30 miles to get there. I also won't miss being constantly on display and all the marking and admin. Aside from all this I'm looking forward to doing something a bit different.

Right now I'm off to Sheffield for Kay's hen do. Dinner at Wagamamma, followed by Little Shop of Horrors at the theatre. I think it'll be a good night.